Albion Park, Saturday 28 February

Form Analysis by Darren Clayton

RACE ONE

Starting from inside the second-row last time out FIRE RAISER (4) was soon buried in the run. Waiting for the gaps to open he was strong to the line behind ALWAYS DANCING. Fitter from that run, which was the first this campaign he can look to capitalise in an open contest.

PRINCE OF PAIN (1) was exposed early last time out before receiving 1x1 cover chasing home BELLISIMO ACQUISTO. Sent for a break following a down the line effort two starts back, he should tighten and with good speed out of the machine he finds the gate to challenge.

MIKIS JOE (2) eased in the early stages to find the fence here two starts back and kept following to grab the silver behind HOLD ONTO YA BLING. Chasing STRIKEM last week, he has claims.

COOL NIGHT (9) was sent to the post as favourite last time at the 2138, working his way to the front. Out of tickets turning for home, he held 4th and following through here can feature.

SELECTIONS: FIRE RAISER (4), PRINCE OF PAIN (1), MIKIS JOE (2), COOL NIGHT (9)
SUGGESTED BET: FIRE RAISER (4) to win

RACE TWO

Send forward to find the front from a wide gate at Menangle two starts back HUXTON (3) fought gamely when beaten a head behind LENNETH. Pressing to the front last start and holding on for the silver behind STRIKEM, he gets the gate to capitalise.

JEKAMIAS (1) had been racing well without much going his way, including a strong effort in a 26 opening quarter when hanging on the third four back. Dropped back to Friday company last start he had the closing speed to power over the top and lands the options to throw down a serious challenge here.

APPLIED (4) was luckless here last week from gate 1 where he was soon buried away and then needed the gaps sooner than they arrived. Only 2m astern of the winner, he is right in the mix.

SMARTER THAN YOU (5) has been a consistent performer in recent starts with successive minors. Chasing UDDERLY SWEET last time, he can be thereabouts once again.

SELECTIONS: HUXTON (3), JEKAMIAS (1), APPLIED (4), SMARTER THAN YOU (5)
SUGGESTED BET: HUXTON (3) to win

RACE THREE

After three runs back from a spell, this looks the chance for the best version of FOR REAL LIFE (7) to emerge from the wilderness. After a disjointed 2025, two of his runs this term has been chasing in vain, as have the rest of the opposition behind CHEERSTOLOU. Strong late when 4m from IM THE FALCON two starts back, he can cash in here.

WHOS DELIGHT (1) was first up on this side of the Tasman last week when fired off the gate to take control from gate 4. With a steady opening half, he was able to dial it up late and fight off the challengers to post a 4m margin. This is tougher and at risk of being buried but will be better for the outing.

MULLUM HANK (3) has been a model of consistency and last start was just forced to work too hard in the run when parked outside the speedy CHEERSTOLOU. Only a neck away the start prior, he is a podium player.

SELECTIONS: FOR REAL LIFE (7), WHOS DELIGHT (1), MULLUM HANK (3)
SUGGESTED BET: FOR REAL LIFE (7) to win

RACE FOUR

It was an impressive return to the track for the dual G1 winner GUS (11), scoring effortlessly when overcoming a 40m handicap in the marathon. Reeling them in and easing down to a 5m margin, he returns to mobile conditions and with bigger targets ahead, can make it five on the trot.

NOT AS PROMISED (6) made an error at his firs run for the season before bouncing back as the runner-up at his next two attempts behind AJAY VOLSTEAD and GUS. Pressing to the front and holding the margin at the mobile mile last start, the gate stings but he can throw it down again.

AJAY VOLSTEAD (5) was shuffled to three back along the inside last start when finding late space for the bronze behind HIDE AND SEEK. A winner at both previous starts, he is in the mix.

HIDE AND SEEK (7) has hit the board at his past four, the latest when working to the front from the wide gate before taking cover and holding on for the silver. If he has early hustle again here, he is a podium threat.

SELECTIONS: GUS (11), NOT AS PROMISED (6), AJAY VOLSTEAD (5), HIDE AND SEEK (7)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FIVE

Faced with gate 6 last week and settled off the speed early, HOT ROD HARRY (2) was sent forward to face the breeze from the 1200. Levelling up but then unable to get past the leader, he settled for the silver when 2m away. Luckless the start prior, this looks his to secure.

BASILISK BOB (11) struck trouble last time out when eased from a wide gate and finished out of business as FINAL DEADLINE displayed his class. Midfield the start prior behind fellow smart 4yO FERNCO NEL, the gate makes it a tough ask, but with better luck against this opposition can challenge.

SIR RICHARD LEE (9) made the most of his speed here last week, fired off the gate to take control and from the front saw them off. A Redcliffe winner three back, he will need to chase here.

BETTERTHAN POPSY (1) should secure a soft trip in behind the speed here and will be ready to offer when the gaps arrive. With his best gate for some time, he is a podium player here.

SELECTIONS: HOT ROD HARRY (2), BASILISK BOB (11), SIR RICHARD LEE (9), BETTERTHAN POPSY (1)
SUGGESTED BET: HOT ROD HARRY (2) to win

RACE SIX

It has been a mixed three starts in Qld for the 5YO mare EUREKA JO (2) who had to settle for the bronze last start behind OHANA DANCER. Striking trouble the start prior from wide off the second line at 2138, her first AP outing was a 3rd behind POST PAINTER when starting fav. This looks like her chance for the breakthrough.

SHES CRUNCHY (5) has been runner-up in both appearances since arriving in Qld, the latest when sent to the post in red figures. Forced to do heavy lifting outside the leader, she was game in finishing 2m from the winner. With added fitness and experience, she will throw it down.

SEASIDE GLORY (6) is afforded no favours from this gate after missing the top three last start from a second line gate. Chasing DAISY DIANA, positioning cheaply will assist her claims.

MAJORITA JUJON (3) eased to the poles here last week and was picking off the metres in the latter stages when 5m astern of the winner. Settling handy will assist her claims.

SELECTIONS: EUREKA JO (2), SHES CRUNCHY (5), SEASIDE GLORY (6), MAJORITA JUJON (3)
SUGGESTED BET:  EUREKA JO (2) to win

RACE SEVEN

Chasing a hat-trick of wins over the middle trip, SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) will need to be at his best to defy the outside alley. Forcing the issue from this same gate last start, he eventually took control and from the front saw them off with 2m to spare. Holding on through a 54.8 closing half two starts back, he can line up the threepeat.

TIMS A TROOPER (5) parked out here last week at the mile and had too much class in the closing stages in claiming a 3m victory. Chasing SPEAK THE TRUTH home for the silver two starts back at this trip, he has all the versatility to issue the challenge.

HOT AND TREACHEROUS (1) faced a 30m handicap last time out in a midweek standing start event and was fighting hard to the wire when just a neck from the winner. With good early speed and his best gate for some time, he can give plenty here.

SELECTIONS: SPEAK THE TRUTH (6), TIMS A TROOPER (5), HOT AND TREACHEROUS (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) to win

RACE EIGHT

In what shapes as a tricky mare’s event, an improved gate for OUT OF EDEN (2) might just be enough to turn her fortunes. Midfield and only 4m from the winner QUEEN LILIBET last start, the numerical form probably does not tell the entire story. From the gate, she can capitalise.

ILOVEACALENDERGIRL (1) was sent to the post as the fav last start when forced to roll the sleeves and grind it out from the breeze. In for the fight and holding on for the silver when 3m from the winner SWEET DIOR, the options from this gate will assist her challenging chances.

LITTLE HOOFANANNY (9) eased off the gate last start from gate 7 before making good metres in the closing stages for the silver. Following through early, she is a podium chance once again.

TIGER SHIRL (8) backs up from Wednesday night on The Triangle where she made the most of the gate to burrow through, dictate and post a 6m victory. Tucked away, she will be searching for the gaps.

SELECTIONS: OUT OF EDEN (2), ILOVEACALENDERGIRL (1), LITTLE HOOFANANNY (9), TIGER SHIRL (8)
SUGGESTED BET: OUT OF EDEN (2) to win Exotics 1-2-8-9

RACE NINE

Finishing in the top two at eight of her 11 on this deck, DAISY DIANA (5) has won five of those. Too tough when sent to the breeze two starts back, last start she was doing her share of early work before finding cover and then just a half-neck in arrears of POST PAINTER. Despite a potentially awkward gate, she looks to have the edge.

ZAHRA LOU (1) will benefit from last start where she was first up from a spell for the new barn. Sent forward from gate 5 before taking the trail, she finished midfield behind the airborne POST PAINTER. A winner at her last start before going for a break, the gate is a huge help.

HELL OF A HAND (8) should receive the perfect trip behind the speed without spending a cent. Chasing a hat-trick of wins here two starts back, she is a place hope with this map.

OHANA DANCER (4) has two wins from her past three starts, the latest when taking control in a mare’s qualifier and fending off the challengers to score. This will be tougher from this gate.

SELECTIONS: DAISY DIANA (5), ZAHRA LOU (1), HELL OF A HAND (8), OHANA DANCER (4)
SUGGESTED BET: DAISY DIANA (5) to win

RACE TEN

Taking benefit off her last start effort when second up this season, TREMENDOUS SENSATION (6) has the wide gate to negotiate but should appreciate the smaller field size. Working early before finding the front but out of tokens turning for home, this looks the ideal chance to turn it around.

REELY NAUTI (2) made the most of the opportunity to find the front here last time out and once in control was able to fend off the challengers in posting a 2m margin. Under 4m from SOAP OPERA two starts back when taken back early, she can show the early speed to challenge.

SOAP OPERA (1) should secure the ideal trip in behind the speed and will just need the gaps to arrive while still having momentum. Buried from inside the second line last time, she scored two starts back and can feature here.

SELECTIONS: TREMENDOUS SENSATION (6), REELY NAUTI (2), SOAP OPERA (1)
SUGGESTED BET: TREMENDOUS SENSATION (6) to win